The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1887-09-21
A VISIT FROM GEN. sUpT. EGAN.
Interesting Talk About Milk River Coal
Cattle Yards, Future Development, Etc.

Mr.. John NJ. Egan, general superinten
dent of the ST. Paul, Minneapolis & Man
itoba railway, arrived in Fort Benton, last
night direct from the end of the track
which he said was forty-six miles from
Fort Benton. To-day RIVER PRESS rep
resentative had an opportunity of listen
ing to a general talk between Mr.. Egan,
Mr. I. G. Baker, and w. G. and G. E. Con
rad in the parlors of the First National
bank
Regarding the Milk river coal, Mr. Egan
pronounced it in every way superior to
the celebrated Lethbridge coal of the
Northwest territory. There has already
been an incline driven in on one of the
veins some forty feet. and the coal i'm
proved in quality every foot. The veins
are from five to eigh5 feet in width and
are capped with sandstone-a most excel
lent indication of true and permanent
mines. A stem will be put in from the
main track five miles to the scene of oper-
ations Asked as to whether the stem
would be finished Immediately and coal
delivered in Fort Benton shortly after the
track reached here, Mr.. Egan said he
could not definitely promise that until
further conference with Mr.. Hill, whom
he expected at the end of the track in a
few days. The work Of construction is
engaging all their available rolling stock,
and it would be doubtful. Steps have al
ready been taken to secure permission
from the Indians and the interior depart
ment to mine the coal Asked if he had
seen the veins at 24-mile springs, he an
swered affirmatively, but said no develop
ments had been attempted there yet, and
he could not speak of it's quality, though
similar conditions existed and the quality
seemed to be the same.
Of the Milk river valley, Mr. Egan
spoke enthusiastically. He said he con
sidered it the garden of the northwest
and capable of supporting an immense
population. For wheat raising and diver
sified farming he considered it far supe-
rior to lands further east
Regarding the stock yards at the Sandy,
he said the material for them was already
this side of Minot, and the work Of CON
structing them would be commenced i'm
mediately. In a very few days his road
would be prepared to receive cattle or
sheep at that point in completed stock
shipping yards. In the meantime If any
stock came temporary shipping accommo-
dations would be provided.
Asked by Mr.. w. G. Conrad about how
soon he would put in the stem to the
freight warehouse on the levee at Fort
Benton, Mr.. Egan said he had not lately
conferred with Mr.. Hill, but would give
the matter his immediate attention, and
would try to get it in shortly after the end
of the track passed here.
"Do you think the end of the track will
reach here by October 1st?" asked Mr..
Conrad
'That is the date we now have fixed.
and have the assurance of Donald Grant
oAAo'O IL w III No lO1O Ou VI UG1OIO UIltU udbo
and to Great Falls by the 15th,'' replied
Mr.. Egan.
In a general way Mr.. Egan said: "Our
road has come into this country to get all
the business it can, and it is going to deal
fairly and honestly with every community.
We are going to win business by deserv-
ng it, and no individual or town will have
cause to complain of our treatment or
'ates. We are going to settle your coun-
5ry and do you more good than you can
1t present realize. It is to the interest of
he Manitoba to have the reservation
hrown open, and nothing will be left un-
lone to secure that object at the earliest
possible moment"
"What time will you put on regular
passenger trains to Benton?" was asked.
Il think, without doubt, by the 18th Of
October" replied Mr.. Egan.